Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Springfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Colton Vasseur (Colchester, Conn.) tossed six strong innings and Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) picked up two hits and struck out the side in the final frame to pick up the save in game two as Westfield State split a doubleheader set with Springfield College on Sunday afternoon.

The Owls (3-1) collect their third win of the weekend, defeating the Pride 4-2 in the second game after dropping the game one, 10-1.

GAME 2

The Owls jumped out to an early lead in game two with Devin Slattery (Ware, Mass.) and John Bessette (Andover, Mass.) drawing walks and Alex Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) singling up the middle to load the bases.

With two outs in the inning, Jacob Lucas (Rutland, Mass.) delivered a two-run single to centerfield to give Westfield a 2-0 lead. Palmer extended the inning with a run-scoring double, splitting the right-center gap to cap a three-run frame for the Owls.

The Owls pushed across a fourth run in the ensuing top half with Chase Racine (Pittsfield, Mass.) ripping a triple to right-centerfield for a 4-0 advantage.

Vasseur (W, 1-0) held the Pride bats silent through the first five innings, striking out a pair in the fifth to preserve a four-run lead for the Owls heading into the final two innings.

Springfield broke into the scoring column in the sixth inning on a two-out, two-run home run from Ryan Delaney (Ellington, Conn.) to cut the deficit in half, 4-2. Vasseur retired the next batter on a ground out first, finishing the afternoon by allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

Palmer entered for the final inning and retired the side in order with three punchouts to secure his first collegiate save.

Mason Veronezi (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) took the loss for the Pride in game two, tossing four innings, surrendering four runs on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

GAME 1

After the Owls left the bases loaded in the first inning, Springfield followed in the bottom half by loading the bases as well with nobody out. The Pride capitalized on the chance, plating six in the frame after Michael Lepere (Beacon, N.Y.) drove home two on a double driven to deep left field.

Justin Neidel (Attleboro, Mass.) tallied the Owls lone run of the game on a ground out to second. Both Neidel and Palmer recorded triples in game one.

First-year pitcher Sean McNamara (Lowell, Mass.) got the start, taking the loss after allowing six runs (two earned) with three strikeouts. Brendan Goonan (Raynham, Mass.) pitched two scoreless innings in relief in his first collegiate appearance.

Westfield State will travel to Vero Beach, Florida for their spring break trip beginning on Friday, March 8 as the Owls face Capital University for a doubleheader starting at 10:00 A.M.